Draupadi saw Karna, thr lord of her soul stumbling and falling down into the deep pit of disgrace and humiliation
like a palatial building the foundation of which was shaken. The arrow was misdirected. It struck the ceiling of the Royal Court, made a hole and sped past. He stood up straight and looked at Panchali. Dejected, helpless, with a grievous heart, ill-disposed at the cruel play of Fate, Karna looked at her, and Panchali’s blue-black eyes became wet. She was painfully conscious that she was going to lose her soul’s beloved forever. He would have won, if Fate had not intervened in the form of Shikhandi.
All the kings had partaken in the contest.
The wedding garland trembled in her hands. She looked at it. The garland was getting faded, and withered by the heat in her mind.
Who had gone wrong here? Draupadi? Time? Karna could press his toe on the crown of the fate and take me easily away. He could hold my hands, take me into the chariot, and speed fast. A battle might happen. Let it. What was there even if there was a war for the sake of his beloved? Didn’t Karna the heroic warrior have all the soldiers of Hastinapuri to help him? If Krishna could take away Rukmini, why couldn’t Karna take Draupadi away? Ah…Would all the desires be satiated!
A handsome young man emanating radiance rose from the side of the Brahmins, came and expressed his willingness to compete, and walked up to the top of the wedding dais. Crop-headed with a long tuft of hair on the back of the head, he looked different from all the other Brahmins. The tuft of hair was vacillating now and then, and it roused curiosity in Draupadi. The Brahmin youth had the physique of a warrior. His hands bore the callus spot and strength of sinews formed by the use of the bow. A Brahmin youth who learned the science of archery! Draupadi was surprised. It appeared frivolous to the kings seated in the hall . They exchanged comments that the youth was over-ambitious. Many of the kings looked with contempt at the young man who desired to marry Panchali, the dark beauty. But determination and majesty was inscribed deftly on his face.
As Draupadi was watching, a drop of silver light from Krishna’s forefinger passed on and fell on the Brahmin youth. One fact was clear. There was some relation between Krishna and the Brahmin youth. While Draupadi stood there forgetful of the time and the place , the Brahmin youth cast a glance at Krishna. There was a slight smile unnoticed by others on Krishna’s face.
Her heart burned when the fiery flame touched the tree which stood withered in the intense summer heat.
Draupadi thought, wasn’t Karna, the King of Anga and her soul’s beloved got humiliated because of Krishna’s magical play. A moment…the inevitable moment! The Brahmin youth raised the bow, tied the string and looking in to the water pool below shot the arrow upwards. It shot past the wheel of the machine and struck at the eye of the wooden bird and the bird along with the arrow stuck in its eye fell down into the water pool. A sudden tremor of exhaustion spread through Draupadi ‘s body. She could hear from a distance Karna’s heart beat drumming aloud. The fiery flames rained into the depths of her heart. Draupadi knew she was being burned out in it.
Draupadi stood still, totally unconscious of the happenings around her. Her maids took her near the Brahmin youth. Her eyes were flooded, but the tear drops refused to drip down. She did not see anything; she did not hear anything. She was deaf to the roar of laughter and sound of joyful celebrations with all the musical instruments in unison. Neither did she know how she came to the Brahmin youth. She thought she garlanded some darkness—some void in front.
Darkness had no face. Only a huge body. While she was garlanding the Brahmin, , the teardrops which were blogged in the eye-sockets flowed and furrowed past the cheeks and fell on the forearm. Unable to see anything the Sun-god burrowed his face into the black robe of the clouds. She had in mind the image of Karna sighing over his lost pride floating like dust in the air. She remained helpless as though she were in the midst of the battlefield. The glory that was there till a while ago was lost forever. Draupadi who was sinking in the whirlpool of grief had her hero pushed backwards behind the curtain in the mere prelude of a story untold.
The dreams were torn and dying, scattered on the nuptial dais. Draupadi sobbed in misery. Karna! My Lord with armour and ear danglings, I am suddenly turned into a flower which has lost its fragrance and colour.
The King of the country of Drupada and Drushtadyumnan came to the dais and gave her hand to the Brahmin youth’s hand. There was a furore from the group of Brahmins. A youth from their group has used the Bow and arrows and won in the contest for the first time. They roared in supreme joy .
The other kings prepared themselves for a war against Father. As Drupada had insulted them, they would put his daughter in fire in his presence. Karna was in front of all. Draupadi’s mind wept…bemoaning Karna…Karna…my beloved…
Oh , noble King! Don’t you hear the cry in my heart? My dreams have burned in fire and only the ashes remain…Here’s the end of Panchali!
Karna!You were my Sun! You were my joy!
You were my everything!
See…the Sun in my life will rise no more! He won’t shed light in my life! You were the soul of my soul and I had surrendered my mind to you. Now as a lifeless body I stand holding the hand of this Brahmin youth.
As there was no way other than war, all the Brahmins rushed to the dais like a rain. They encircled the Brahmin youth and Draupadi. An old Brahmin spoke loudly.
“Oh, you intellectuals! We, Brahmins have come desiring for sumptuous food. Not competition, but food was what we wanted. When you kings and heroic fighters failed in the contest the Youth tried and became victorious. What is the need of a war then?”
The Young Prince of Hastinapuri shouted at a high volume.
“Keep away, you Brahmins! He WON’T go with the Drupada bride, after insulting the kings here.”
The old Brahmins became furious.
“In that case, Oh Prince, shoot arrows at Brahmins like us. As we possess God’s wisdom, if you kill us you must be ready to accept the curse.”
While they stood there with closed eyes as if submissive to death, the Brahmin Youth held Draupadi’s hand and got out of the Court hall through the back door. All others were in front of the palace. Draupadi found herself in a forest with the Brahmin Youth! She wondered how they went past the thickly populated places. Or, were I in a trance? Since Krishna, the magician, was with him, I’d be surprised only if I was not put to sleep.
While they were taking rest in the glade of the forest, Draupadi secretly glanced at the Brahmin Youth’s face . He was wearing old clothes. It was torn here and there. She sighed when she thought of her life with this Brahmin. From today onwards he is my husband. I’m not a Princess now. Only the wife of a poor Brahmin. I had wanted to go with my maids after Swayamvara. When I go with a poor Brahmin, why should I need decorations? What’s the use for luxury and attendants?
After some time, four Brahmin youths joined them completely soaked in sweat. They were also panting. The person in front seemed the eldest of all. He said.
“Partha, Need not delay. We’ve to reach home before the enemies come.”
As soon as he said it, he started walking fast. The rest of the three followed him. Behind all, the young man called Parthan and Drupadi walked. While walking like a body, Draupadi felt that Parthan was trying to touch her . He looked very happy. In low voice he said.
“The two walking in front are my elder brothers. The two behind are my younger brothers.”
Draupadi didn’t feel like listening to him. Her soft, flower-like feet which did not have the slippers on were paining. She was walking that far for the first time. The fourth one realized her trouble and said.
“The newly-wed bride used to travel only in chariots. Shall I carry her on my shoulders, elder brother?”
The first one muttered in reply.
“Draupadi is not a princess now.”
The pain on the feet disappeared. As she was not a princess, she should walk? Anyway, the First One seemed disturbed by heavy thoughts, that was sure. As she was destined to walk behind them, the virtuous, but unfortunate Draupadi walked cursing herself.
(Cont’d)
